something special Brewing

MISHAWAKA Tom Schmidt wasn't quite sure what hit him as he sipped on a micro-brewed beer at lunch in Yakima, Wash., back in the mid-1980s. At first, he wasn't even sure he liked it. But as the day wore on, he knew one thing, he sure liked that aftertaste. It took him awhile, but over time, he made sure that that taste would not turn into just an afterthought. From brewing beer in his own basement to coming up with a business plan with then-partner John Foster in 1990, the Mishawaka Brewing Co. was successfully launched at its current North Main Street location in Mishawaka in October 1992. Since then, ales like The Four Horsemen and Lake Effect and Wall Street Wheat to name a few, have been brewing there ever since. "It's been a long 13 years," Tom Schmidt, whose partner these days is son Rick, said. "The brewing has been fun. I never got tired of the brewing part." So much so he's in the midst of working on a new brewery on the southeast side of Elkhart, where more brewing and bottling will be done in addition to that which is done in several rooms behind the bar at the Mishawaka Brewing Co. The restaurant, once the only restaurant on North Main Street, however, may be a bit more challenging with its 250 seats, ample parking and unique food. Decorated in what Tom calls an old English pub style with its hunter green walls and various pictures and artifacts, the place invites the customer to sit down and stay awhile. "We are trying to appeal to people of all ages, people who are out for a good time and like to sit and socialize a little bit," Tom said, admitting he and Rick have tried a few different things within the large three-room restaurant over the years, while battling the onslaught of franchise restaurants that have opened up a few blocks away. Adds Rick, "Here, you go in and have a session with your buddies." The Mishawaka Brewing Co. is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. It features a private room for parties of 40 to 50 people, a large bar area with booths and tables where smoking is allowed and a larger non-smoking dining area. In between the two rooms, sits two pool tables and a foosball table, where smoking is allowed. Award winning microbrewed beer, which accounts for more than 40 percent of the business, is definitely the major attraction. Also on that portion of the menu are INDIAna Pale Ale, Founder's Stout, Mishawaka Kolash and Raspberry Wheat Ale. But there are definitely other attractions, says Tom. "The atmosphere, the ambiance, the food, the price for the food and if you are a beer drinker, the beer," he said. "If not, we make our own root beer, orange soda and cherry cream soda. "People that come here regularly and try different foods, fall in love with the food," he added. That lineup includes Seven Mules Steak and Mushroom Pie, the Pub Burrito and Classic Crab Cakes. A dozen appetizers dot the menu, too. Prices range from $5.95 for a sandwich to the porterhouse steak at $16.95. Most items are in the $8 to $11 range, Tom said. Some strong selling items include Crown & Anchor Fish 'N Chips, Classic Crab Cakes, Four Horseman Irish Meat Pie and Jamaican Jerk Chicken sandwich. "Most people leave here happy after their first time in," Rick said, noting just trying micro-brewed beers "opens up their eyes." Liquor is not served. The Mishawaka Brewing Co. indeed comes back to what Tom experienced while on a business trip in Washington long ago. "The reason is to get drinking back to what it used to be," Rick said, "to enjoy it and have a good conversation."